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268 T, M. READE ON RIPPLE-MARKS IN DRIFT. 
Fig. 2.—Ripple-marks at Ketley. 
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In July 1883 I had the further pleasure of seeing in a cutting in 
Low-level Boulder-clay and Sands at Tranmere, Cheshire, in one of 
the approaches to the Mersey Tunnel, ripple-marks in hard fine 
loamy brown sand, forming the flank of what must have been a 
submarine bank, and covered with a compact mass of Boulder-clay 
many feet thick*. These also were displayed in section, in a 
perfectly distinct and unmistakable manner, though, through being 
formed on a sloping bank, they did not possess the perfect regularity 
and symmetry of form of those previously described +. 
The following (fig. 3) is a sketch-section. 
Fig. 3.—Ripple-marks at Tranmere, Cheshire. 
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A. Ripple-marks in brown loamy sand. B. Boulder-clay, 
©. Yellow sand, containing shell fragments. 
The sand was faulted, as shown, with throws of from 2 to 4 
inches. 1 found shell fragments in the bed of sand, among which 
I could distinguish Turritella terebra, Cardium edule, Tellina 
balthica, and a Pholas. 
The position of this section being in an embayment between 
higher lands must have been favourable for the preservation of such 
markings. The clay was remarkably tree from stoues, and no 
doubt this arose from the same cause, viz. the protecting embayment. 
The beds are undoubtedly of the same series as those to which I have 
given the name of the Low-level Boulder-clays and Sands. 
These ripple-markings would not be seen except when developed 
by weathering. From the nature of the material they could not 
be displayed except in section. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Ciewenr Rem said that he believed similar phenomena had 
been often observed before, and he did not exactly see the bearing 
* See‘ Drift Beds of the N.W. of England,’ part ii. 
+ Note (March 1884).—I have not the least doubt that these are genuine 
ripple-marks, and that the faulting of the sand has no connexion with them. 
They are distinct phenomena, and not due to any common cause. They were 
also observed by several members of the Liverpool Geological Association. 
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